Curry Anyone???

It is been awhile  since I last blog about my cooking.  My style of cooking requires no measuring cups, spoons or scale.  I called it caveman style of cooking, just keep adding things to it as you go. LOL

Today, I decide to cook me up some yellow curry.  I thought it would be a good meal with this cold weather.

I used the whole package..

I chopped them up in 1/4 and took most of the seeds out.

I'm sure most of you know the trick... After you cut them egg plants up, make sure you add some salt into the water... so the egg plants doesnt turn black

I used some of fingerling potatoes... It cooks a lot faster and tasty

This is the first time I decide to add some bamboo shoots... is ok..

this is the curry paste I've used..

chaokoh it is.... never try other brand

most of the time.. i used chicken, but this time is pork.. the meat been marinated over night.

throw the meat in the pot... let it cook

this particular pot... i used 2 cans of the coconut milk..

finally.. i get to eat... what you guys think??? looks ok??

Here it is… The caveman yellow curry..

Thailand Deport 4,000+ Hmongs Back To Laos

I guess it is a done deal.  Those 4,000 plus folks from Huay Nam Khao Camp in Northern Phetchabun Province are handed over to Laos Government.  It seems like both countries are trying to carry out this mission without much of media affair.  The Thai Government will not allow any media or any international agencies near the camp.

Now the focus shifted to Laos Government, how are they going about to relocate these folks.  From this article I just read, they will be locate them to Borikhamxay Province.  I wonder if Laos will allow any human rights group to follow these folks progress.  It all remains to be seen.

Last illegal migrants return home

(Borikhamxay province) — A total of 4,508 Lao citizens who were detained in Thailand for several years after illegally entering the country returned to Laos yesterday.

Brigadier General Bouasieng Champaphanh ( right ) shakes hands with Lieutenant General Nipat Thonglek after the signing ceremony.

The migrants had crossed the border after being misled into believing they could travel from Thailand to the United States .

Prior to their return the migrants were held at Thai detention camps in Houaynamkhao village, Khaokhor district, Phetchabun province, and in Nong Khai province.

A signing ceremony to return the migrants was held between Chairman of the Lao-Thai General Border Sub-Committee, Brigadier General Bouasieng Champaphanh, and Lieutenant General Nipat Thonlek of the Royal Thai Armed Forces’ Department of Border Affairs.

The ceremony took place in Borikhamxay province and was attended by senior officials of both countries.

Brigadier General Bouasieng Champaphanh spoke to Lao and Thai media at a press conference after the ceremony, saying the returnees would be initially sent to a temporary centre in Pakxan district, Borikhamxay province.

Here government officials and local authorities would check the personal background of each returnee before, if possible, sending them to their hometown.

Brig Gen Bouasieng said those with homes would be sent back there, or otherwise go to live with their relatives, while those who no longer had a home or had previously engaged in shifting cultivation would be relocated by the government.

Homeless people are expected to live with families who had previously returned and are now living in Phalak village, Kasy district, in Vientiane province.

Brig Gen Bouasieng said Lao officials will educate the returnees to make sure they are not tricked into leaving the country again, and to prevent them falling victim to human trafficking.

Both Brig Gen Bouasieng a nd his Thai counterpart Lt Gen Nipat Thonlek commented that the increase in the number of returnees had been stimulated through efforts by Lao and Thai officials to prove that previous returnees are enjoying a better standard of living and safety in Laos .

After receiving information on the good hospitality and cooperation provided by the Lao government to previous returnees, in marked contrast to past rumours that returnees had experienced difficulties, more Lao migrants living in Thailand have returned.

“We have not forced them to return, they have all come back to Laos voluntarily,” said Lt Gen Nipat.

“We are happy to see the cooperation between our two countries bear fruit and I can confirm that there was no force involved.”

The repatriation of all illegal migrants to Laos is in line with the minutes of the 37th meeting of the General Border Sub-Committees of Laos and Thailand held last year in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province.

The meeting reached consensus to return all the illegal migrants by 2008, but the timescale for the plan ultimately failed.

The sub-committees met again in September this year in Luang Prabang province when they accorded to repatriate all Hmong migrants by the end of this year.

A total of 7,761 illegal migrants have been returned to Laos , with yesterday’s being the last group before the Thai detention camps are officially closed on Monday.

By Phaisythong Chandara
(Latest Update December 30 , 2009)

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/Free_Last.htm

Merry Christmas To All

I can’t believe how fast this year just flew by..  This year Christmas feels a lot different from the past years.  I’ve been scrambling to get all gifts for my nieces and nephews.  I’ll never do last minute shopping ever again.  Perhaps, the economy isn’t as bad as the media been talking about, because there are so many people out spending $$$.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and have a safe journey if you’re traveling.

Oh here is the picture of my neighbor’s house, i just took it about 30 minutes ago.  This guy have no more room to hang anymore light. LOL  I forgot to mention, Christmas Music was playing non-stop.

I would hate to be his next door neighbors. How can you out do this guy? hahhahah

Oh check out what I had before Christmas Eve dinner..    It was so good:-)

Mom called.. "I made some kao piek" I was like... Oh.. Yesssssss!!

The Faith Of 4000 Lives….

Updates: Dec. 28, 2009

By JERRY HARMER, Associated Press Writer Jerry Harmer, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 54 mins ago

PHETCHABUN, Thailand – Thailand sent army troops with shields and batons to evict more than 4,000 ethnic Hmong asylum-seekers Monday and send them back to Laos despite strong objections from the U.S. and rights groups who fear they will face persecution.

Under tight security, all 4,371 of the Hmong were loaded onto covered military trucks and driven out of the camp by late afternoon toward buses waiting near the Lao border, Thai authorities said. Journalists kept at a distance from the camp could see many children inside the trucks.

Col. Thana Charuwat said Thai troops “didn’t even touch” the Hmong who offered no resistance as they were taken from the camp.

With the eviction under way, the United States called for it to stop.

“The United States strongly urges Thai authorities to suspend this operation,” U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement, noting that the United Nations and Thailand in the past had deemed that many of the Hmong in this group were “in need of protection because of the threats they might face in Laos.”

The Hmong, an ethnic minority group from Laos’ rugged mountains, helped U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. Many Hmong fought under CIA advisers during the so-called “secret war” in Laos before it fell to the communists in 1975.

Since the communist victory, more than 300,000 Laotians, mostly Hmong, are known to have fled to Thailand. Most were either repatriated to Laos or resettled in third countries, particularly the United States. Smaller numbers found refuge in France, Australia and Canada.

The Hmong claim they have been persecuted by the Lao government, but Washington has said it has no plans to resettle more of them in the U.S.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, commending the smooth operation Monday, said that Thailand had received “confirmation from the Lao government that these Hmong will have a better life.”

The Thai government claims most of the Hmong are economic migrants who entered the country illegally and have no claims to refugee status. The group was being held at an overcrowded camp in northern Thailand that the government wants to close.

Thana, the Thai army’s coordinator for the operation, denied an allegation of brutality by one human rights group, which said callers from inside the camp had used their mobile phones to report violence and bloodshed.

“There has been no violence and nobody has been injured,” Thana said, noting it was impossible for anyone in the camp to call outside because the military had jammed mobile phone signals.

Thana said 5,000 soldiers, officials and civilian volunteers were involved in the eviction. He said the troops carried no firearms and that their shields and batons met international standards for dealing with situations in which people are being moved against their will.

“There was no resistance from the repatriated Hmong because we used psychological tactics to talk with them, to assure them that they will have a better life in Laos as the Lao government has confirmed,” he told reporters.

Journalists and independent observers were barred from the camp and were allowed no closer than a press center about 7 miles (12 kilometers) away.

The Hmong were driven out of the camp in military trucks and were then to be put on 110 buses going to the Thai border town of Nong Khai, and then across to Laos, heading to the Paksane district in the central province of Bolikhamsai, Thana said.

Laos Foreign Ministry spokesman Khenthong Nuanthasing rejected international concerns, saying the government has a “humanitarian policy” for resettling the Hmong.

He told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that the group would initially be placed in a temporary shelter and then housed in two “development villages” — in Bolikhamsai province and in Vientiane province — where each family will receive a house and a plot of land that international observers will be welcome to inspect.

New York-based Human Rights Watch on Monday called the deportation “appalling” and a low point for Abhisit’s government.

“As a result of what Thailand has done to the Lao Hmong today, Prime Minister Abhisit sinks Thailand’s record on contempt for human rights and international law to a new low,” said Sunai Phasuk, a Thai representative for Human Rights Watch.

___

Associated Press writers Jocelyn Gecker in Bangkok and Grant Peck in Chiang Mai, Thailand, contributed to this report.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091228/ap_on_re_as/as_thailand_hmong

Now that the SEA Games are over, Laos face a tough task ahead regarding the 4000 Lao Hmong that currently being held in Thailand.  The International Human Rights Group are keeping closes eye on the decisions from Thailand and Laos.  Those 4000 folks refuse to go back to Laos fearful for their lives and Thailand wants them out of their soil.  The U.S. had already fulfilled their committments and no longer will be accepting anymore Lao Hmong.  I think Laos have no choice but accept them back and build a new town for them to relocate to.  It is probably will come down to the money, who’s going to pick the tap.  I’m pretty sure Laos will not fork out their own money to build a new town, new schools, and creat jobs for those folks.

AFP December 22, 2009, 8:47 pm

// <![CDATA[//

AFP © Enlarge photo

BANGKOK (AFP) – Rights groups and diplomats have expressed deep concern that Thailand will deport 4,000 ethnic Hmong held in the northeast back to communist Laos, where they fear persecution, by the end of the year.

Thai authorities have reportedly deployed extra troops to Phetchabun province where most of the Hmong are held in camps, fuelling fears that they will fulfil a pact with Laos to expel the group before 2010.

Thailand has also failed to renew an agreement, which expires on December 31, with the only aid group providing assistance at the camps.“It is shocking that the Thai army is now trying to use the Christmas and New Year holidays to push back more than 4,000 Lao Hmong, many of whom have escaped from political persecution, rights abuses and fighting in Laos,” said Sunai Phasuk, a Thailand analyst at Human Rights Watch.

“This is brazen contempt for the most basic principle of refugee law.”The ethnic minority Hmong in Phetchabun are seeking political asylum, claiming they face persecution from the regime in Laos because they fought alongside US forces during the Vietnam War.

On Tuesday diplomats in Bangkok met Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to voice their concerns about the imminent deportation of the Hmnong, said Liselott Agerlid from the Swedish embassy, on behalf of the European Union.She said they were “particularly concerned” that another group of 158 Hmong held in Nongkhai province, who have already been screened and granted UN refugee status, could be sent back to Laos.

This group has been offered resettlement in Western nations that Thailand has refused to allow, although large numbers of Hmong have been resettled in the past, notably in the United States.After the meeting Kasit’s secretary, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, told AFP the repatriation to Laos “is our policy, but how to do it and when will be discussed.”

Thailand says the thousands in Phetchabun are economic migrants, and has refused access for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to assess if any are in fact refugees according to international criteria.“We understand that the Thai government’s own screening process found a number of people had international protection needs, which means they may well qualify to be refugees,” said UNHCR spokeswoman Kitty McKinsey.

“We have long maintained no one with a valid international protection claim should be returned to Laos on anything but a voluntary basis.”A Western diplomat in Bangkok told AFP they suspected several hundred would be classified refugees if properly screened, adding that there was a “sense of urgency” in the international community about the deportation.

“We have reports that in the last few weeks there has definitely been an increase in the deployment of troops. Previously we didn’t think that they had the capacity or the readiness to do this.”Aid group Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in May pulled out of a camp in Phetchabun, accusing Thailand of trying to repatriate the group forcibly.

MSF said the Hmongs recounted killings, gang-rape and malnutrition inflicted by Laotian forces, but Laos foreign affairs spokesman Khenthong Nuanthasing on Tuesday denied there was any harassment of the minority in Laos.“According to the agreement between the two countries, the 4,000 Hmongs should be sent back to Laos. But we are waiting for the decision of the Thai government,” he added.

The only aid group now active in Phetchabun is the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees, supported by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which said their agreement to provide help runs out at the end of December.“We have been seeking arrangements to be made after this month but so far we haven’t received feedback from the government,” said UNICEF Thailand representative Tomoo Hozumi.

Sunai of Human Rights Watch called on Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to make an emergency intervention to prevent the deportations.

“Thailand risks sullying its reputation to allow the army to carry out this immoral and unlawful policy,” he said.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/6615934/fears-thailand-will-deport-4-000-hmong-to-laos/

Lao Government Urged Expatriates To Come Back Home

This is almost the same blog I wrote about a month or so ago.  I guess Lao Government is trying to make it easy for those folks that wants to go back to live in Laos.  They probably realized being stubborn will not advance the country as fast as they like.  By allowing expatriates to go back and have the right to purchase land will hopefully help lure the people back.

Last week I received a call from my cousin that recently moved back to live in Laos.  Her and her husband are very happy there so far.  Til the fund is low… then I’ll ask them again.. hahahah

I don’t think the U.S. is buying into 2 citizenships at all.  I’m sure they will have to file taxes each year otherwise Uncle Sam will not be too happy.

Lao expatriates urged to come home

It is the policy of the Lao government to welcome back native Lao who left their motherland during the Indochina War more than 30 years ago, Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh has said.

Speaking at a meeting in Vientiane on Thursday with representatives of Lao expatriates, Mr Bouasone said the government had formed a committee to help those who wished to return and live in the country of their birth.

“I have received a report from the committee that it is developing details of the policy. The government is giving its full consideration to the policy,” he told Lao expatriates from countries such as the United States France, Germany , Australia , Belgium , Canada and Japan .

The government invited representatives of Lao expatriates to attend the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane from December 9 to 18.

The event is considered to be a historical milestone, with Laos hosting the regional sporting event 50 years after joining the SEA Games Federation.

The government hopes the visiting expatriates can see for themselves how Laos has developed in recent decades.

Mr Bouasone said the government looked forward to the future instead of getting stuck in past history, which it could not change.

“A long time ago, Laos and its people were invaded. The great Lane Xang Kingdom was ruined and divided up in the form in which it exists today,” he said.

“The Indochina War, which ended in 1975, divided the Lao people. Many left Laos for other countries. This occurred in the past and is something that no one can change.”

“But the Lao government does not consider that history sets the standard for the future. We have become forward looking. Lao people wherever they are must join their hearts and minds to develop the country,” he said.

M r Bouasone urged Lao expatriates who had adopted the nationality of other countries to become good citizens of those countries. He urged them to study technology and use their knowledge to develop Laos , while teaching the younger generation about Lao culture so they could come back to Laos .

He said Lao expatriates could contact Lao embassies in foreign countries to obtain information about Laos .

The government is drawing up a Prime Minister’s decree on honorary citizenship, as many people believe this status would enable expatriates to return to Laos . People who hold honorary citizenship would have the same residency rights as Lao citizens but have no political rights. The Lao National Assembly recently approved a new Investment Law, which grants land use rights to foreigners, including Lao expatriates, who invest a large amount of money in Laos .

The policy aims to encourage foreigners to invest in Laos , to promote economic growth and create job and income opportunities.

Many Lao expatriates say they would like to return to Laos because they feel nowhere can be a better home. They continue to enjoy Lao food, dance and music. However, many of them are afraid of what took place in the past.

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
(Latest Update December 21 , 2009)

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/Free_Lao.htm

Lack of Updates From SEA Games 2009

It is almost impossible to get any updates from Laos SEA Games.  Since the Opening Ceremony last week, I wasn’t able to get much information from its official website.  Perhaps all their IT people and webmasters are out watching the games/drinking beerlao.  The website is at the snail speed, feels like I was surfing the net on dial-up internet.  Most of the videos and pictures that I found are usually from different blog forums or other countries newspaper website.

Anyone else had better luck looking for an updates?  Please let me know, thanks!!!

What’s In My Fridge??

I’ve heard people said…  Whatever is inside of your fridge tells a lot about you.  I’m not sure if that statement holds true in my case.

what's behind those doors??

As a single guy.. I’ve try not to over stock the foods unless I plan to feed bunch of people.  I just realized this morning that I do not have any vegetables.

not much here.. ahhahahha

beer or wine anyone??

Sorry, the pictures are not as clear.  I used my cell phone camera to take these pictures.  One thing that fridge is always well stock is alcohol.  No!!! I’m not alcoholic, just social drinker:-).  These are the items I have in the fridge this morning.

My Backyard

It has been couple weeks now since I’ve did any yard works.  Yesterday, I got home little early and decide to check out my plants.  To my surprise the lily are still green and blooming, although I haven’t water it for a week.  Looks like I might have to mow the lawn this coming weekend.

lily is blooming nicely... feel like a spring time

roll of lily... still pretty green

This side of the house used to be all dirt and most of the time are full of weeds.  Back in June, I decided to cover the ground with a fabric and overlay it with redwood cedar barks.  I’ve also planted these lily 5 feet apart of each other.

banana trees still growning..

The banana trees are looking good, although its leaf are splitting due to the heavy wind few weeks ago.  I also notices few of baby tree are up rooting.

afternoon sun beaming through..

I like the size of my yard…  It is not that big and I don’t have to spend all afternoon working on it.